There are tons and tons of aphrodisiacs which boost your libido and get you in the mood. But, have you heard about “anaphrodisiacs”? Anaphrodisiacs are foods that hamper your sex drive. How often have you found yourself in the situation where you or your partner were “not in the mood”? Well, it could be these food items that are causing low libido and playing havoc with your sex life.

Canned food: Most canned foods contain large amounts of sodium and a low amount of potassium, which leads to reduced blood flow to body parts like *ahem*, your genitals.

Alcohol: A glass of wine sure helps shed those inhibitions and could even turn you on, but too much of alcohol can hamper your sex drive. Alcohol is a depressant and causes physiological symptoms. Excess intake of alcohol can decrease testosterone production in men. So, take it easy the next time you’re out drinking.

Cheese: Cheese available at your supermarket is made from cow’s milk that has been treated with artificial growth hormones and antibiotics. Having too much of processed dairy products releases xenoestrogen in your body. These unwanted estrogens can cause low sex drive and even sexual dysfunction. Look for dairy products made from untreated cow’s milk.

Coffee: Excess intake of coffee can harm your adrenal glands. These glands produce stress hormones, when the function of the glands reduces; it could lead to sexual and thyroid hormone imbalance.

Soy: Most soy products are heavily processed and stripped off their healthy properties. Soy contains phytoestrogen which sometimes affects the hormonal balance in men and women. It is rumoured that monks across the world consume soy in high quantities as it lowers sex drive.

Mint: Okay, so bad breath is a big turn off, but the mint you’re chewing on to get rid of bad breath is not doing any good to your sex life. The menthol in peppermint has been shown to reduce testosterone levels. It also cools off your body and sex drive. Next time, try chewing some ginger instead.

Soda: Besides causing dental cavities, obesity and dehydration, soda also causes sexual dysfunction and hence, is the worst food for your sex life.

Artificial sweeteners: Artificial sweeteners such as Aspartame reduce the release of serotonin, a chemical that makes you happy and controls your mood and boosts libido. Lack of serotonin can cause problems such as headaches, depression and irritability. These things affect the production of dopamine which is important for a good sex drive.

Corn Flakes: Did you know John Harvey Kellogg, the man behind Kellogg's cereals created corn flakes to curb sex drive? The sugar in the cereal causes a spike and crash in your blood level which affects the testosterone. Low amounts of testosterone means low libido and sex drive.

There are tons and tons of aphrodisiacs which boost your libido and get you in the mood. But, have you heard about “anaphrodisiacs”? Anaphrodisiacs are foods that hamper your sex drive. How often have you found yourself in the situation where you or your partner were “not in the mood”? Well, it could be these food items that are causing low libido and playing havoc with your sex life.